Lance Corporal Jason L. Dunham
 

Marine Corps News

First Long War Marine to receive Medal of Honor
Nov. 10, 2006; Submitted on: 11/10/2006 02:12:24 PM ; Story ID#: 20061110141224

By Staff Sgt. Scott Dunn, Headquarters Marine Corps




Quantico, VA (Nov. 10, 2006) -- A corporal who died shielding men in his care from a bursting grenade deserves America’s highest military decoration, President Bush has confirmed ([url]http://www.mcnews.info/mcnewsinfo/moh/)[/url].

Actions by Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who would have turned 25 today, merit the Medal of Honor, Bush said at the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ dedication ceremony, which coincided with the 231st Marine Corps anniversary.

On April 14, 2004, in Iraq near the Syrian border, the corporal used his helmet and his body to smother an exploding Mills Bomb let loose by a raging insurgent whom Dunham and two other Marines tried to subdue.

The explosion dazed and wounded Lance Cpl. William Hampton and Pfc. Kelly Miller. The insurgent stood up after the blast and was immediately killed by Marine small-arms fire.

Dunham lay face down with a shard the size of a dress-shirt button lodged in his head. The hard, molded mesh that was his Kevlar helmet was now scattered yards around into clods and shredded fabric. Dunham never regained consciousness and died eight days later at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., with his mother and father at his bedside.

Dunham’s commanding officers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, investigated his actions and nominated him for the Medal of Honor. After two years and seven months making its way to the White House, the nomination now has the necessary approval from the president. Next, the president will present the medal and citation to the Dunhams.

Hoping the president would make the Medal of Honor announcement on their son’s birthday, Dan and Debra Dunham drove to Quantico from their home in Scio, N.Y. Dunham is buried in Scio.

Before Dunham, the last Marine actions to earn the medal happened May 8, 1970, in Vietnam, according to Marine Corps History Division records. A Medal of Honor citation details Lance Cpl. Miguel Keith’s machine-gun charge that inspired a platoon facing nearly overwhelming odds: Wounded, Keith ran into “fire-swept terrain.” Wounded again by a grenade, he still attacked, taking out enemies in the forward rush. Keith fought until mortally wounded; his platoon came out on top despite being heavily outnumbered.

The last Marine to receive the Medal of Honor was Maj. Gen. James L. Day, who distinguished himself as a corporal in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. On Jan. 20, 1998, more than half a century later, President Bill Clinton presented the medal to Day. He passed away that year.

Since the Long War began, the president has presented one Medal of Honor. On April 4, 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith posthumously earned the medal for organizing a defense that held off a company-sized attack on more than 100 vulnerable coalition soldiers. In the defense, Smith manned a .50 caliber machine gun in an exposed position until he was mortally wounded

One hell of a man, I'm glad his folks were on hand. Rest in peace.

The world is a lesser place with the loss of men like Cpl. Dunham.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).”

RIP

Commitment
 

Semper fi.

God bless Marine. Prayers for his family.

God Bless Cpl. Jason L. Dunham and all those who were close to him. His courage is incredible.

Last Year, I read the book [I]The Gift of Valor[/I] by Michaeal Phillips [url]http://www.randomhouse.com/broadway/giftofvalor/[/url]
and I recommend it to all. It is a truly moving story.

His sacrifice shall not be forgotten.

RIP Marine.

I read that book last year and it is truly moving

Rest in peace Marine.

Unbelievable. Can you imagine the courage and valor needed to make that split-second decision; overcomming all natural human instinct?

Rest in Peace warrior. You are counted amongst the greatest who have sacrificed so that others may live.

[QUOTE=CV]Unbelievable. Can you imagine the courage and valor needed to make that split-second decision; overcomming all natural human instinct?[/QUOTE]It does not take away from his actions, but previous articles referenced that he had talked about his belief that a helmet would contain the explosion prior to this event. Therefore, if true, it wasn't against "natural human instinct."

For taking the chance, he deserves this accolade and anything else we can think of....

RIP

RIP Marine

RIP, Godspeed, PBS....

Glad to see that the courage and honor of men of this caliber is still being reported:

[url]http://townhall.com/columnists/JeffEmanuel/2006/12/26/the_medal_of_honor[/url]

I sit here in awe at the reports of valor, that never seem to be at the forefront of the liberal media. We will see results of carbombs every day, and the 'numbers' of soldiers/marines/airmen that lay their lives down, but NEVER enough coverage pertaining to warriors like CPL Dunham. May God receive this Marine, to stand point over the gates of heaven.
The world is a lesser place without his boots on the ground
Steve

I caught the ceremony this morning on Fox News.

Very moving.

RIP

Saw the MOH given to his parents Uncommon valor. RIP Marine

I have only met one MOH winner. Jon Caviani. Met him outside Fort Lewis in 1990 or 1991. He was at denny's (or shoney's) and I simply approached him, and said, "SGM, I hate to interrupt your breakfast, but I wanted to tell you it is an extreme honor to meet you. Thanks for what you did, whatever it was."
His reply, "It was nothing special, just doing my job."
He ended up paying for my wife and mine's breakfast, totally unexpected.
Awesome modesty. The next day, I went to Grandstaff Library on Lewis and read his narrative.. Gave me chills
Thanks CSM Caviani, wherever you may be today.

(Click here to see a Photo Gallery from The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) [url]http://www.democratandchronicle.com/...H&Profile=1007[/url]

Family, friends and students packed an upstate high school gym this afternoon to hear the official word about the naming of a Navy warship after a local hero.



Secretary of the Navy Donald Winters announced during his visit to tiny Scio in Allegany County that the newest guided missile destroyer will be named the U-S-S Jason Dunham.

Dunham's parents and siblings were at today's ceremony. His mother was asked to christen the ship when it's commissioned in 2010.

"Thousands of young men and women will step foot on that ship and they'll know who Jason Dunham is And their family will know who he is. It's a big honor for community, and a big honor for the Dunham family. What a wonderful family they are. And they'll be the first to tell you that every kid over in Iraq, every kid in the military, is a hero," said Scio Supervisor Dan Fleming.

Dunham graduated from High School in Scio, 65 miles southeast of Buffalo. He died in 2004 a week after throwing himself on a grenade that an Iraqi insurgent had tossed toward his group of Marines.

Military officials say Dunham's actions saved the lives of two other men in his unit.

Earlier this year, his heroic deed was recognized by President Bush, who presented Jason's parents with the Congressional Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony.

"He wanted to make sure that everyone makes it home alive. Corporal Dunham took that promise seriously. And would give his own life to make it good," said President Bush.

Senator Charles Schumer called the destroyer naming "another fitting tribute to his life and humbling heroism."


WGRZ and AP

RIP Warrior. Thanks for your dedication and love of country. You will not be forgotten.